Wednesday, August 21, 2013

What's in the box?

Remember I showed you the box that sits on my bookshelf? In is a collection of bits and pieces, mostly jewellery from younger clubbing days that I no longer wear. Non Dreaded Nephew went through it once and took some bits and pieces he liked. There was nothing of real value in it with the exception of what is below.

I received this watch from my father and step mother for my 18th birthday. The brand is Citizen and it is a self winding watch. It self winds when it moves. Some ahem years later, if I pick it up, it starts to work, with the second hand moving. That is pretty damn good! It is engraved on the back and I don't think the camera has picked up that the face is green.

When Crown Casino (they would prefer I called it Crown Entertainment Complex) opened there was a shop within selling Boy London products. This is a belt buckle I bought. It probably came on a belt, but I can't recall now.

To go with the belt buckle, I just had to have a Boy London watch too. It no longer works. I suppose it needs a new battery.

Another belt buckle that appealed to me. I think it may have come from Dangerfield, but I am really not sure. How did I go from being a young person who wore Boy London and shopped in Dangerfield to an old man? Fortunately my looks were never great, so I didn't have much to lose there.

This was a cheapie watch. I can't imagine buying it, so it must have been a giveaway or something like that. Due to Russia's anti gay legislation, we are boycotting Stolichinaya, aren't we?

This final watch was given to be by R when I was about 25, I think. Luckily my allergy to any metal touching my skin for a decent period of time co-incided with me getting my first mobile phone so I no longer needed to wear a watch.

The trouble with a box is that every item of jewellery or watchery ends up in it. And it is difficult to sell, re-gift or throw items out. But what do you do with a watch that was a gift from a beloved grandparent in 1962 or rings that were bequeathed to you in your favourite aunt and uncle's will?

Just hope that once in a blue moon something truly wondrous will be in that box!

It won't be a problem for me Hels. I don't wear any jewellery now and I am not likely to want Mother's, well maybe one or two things. Yes, you just have to keep such things for their sentimental value, if no other reason.

Metal backs never bothered me, but I was one of those people [scoffed at by jewellers] for whom watches never worked. I've got my step-father's self-winding watch in a drawer - it weighs a ton and would look appropriate on the wrist of a giant male, but is very reliable and quite handy to keep in a pocket when a mobile phone isn't practical.

I've two other ancient gold, ladies watches that I presume have some value because of the jewels inside them, but no idea what they are worth or where to sell them. I guess they will end up with a pile of other junk someone will have to sort through one day.

River, I can't remember if it was self winding or not, but my father had a waterproof one too. He also never took it off. Thanks for the nickel information, even if you are saying I only had cheap jewellery.

Cheap has nothing to do with it. Most watch backs are nickel or nickel based. A lot of clothing clasps are nickel too, the hooks on bras and those adjustment clips for the straps are nickel. One of my girls has to buy those fully stretch fabric pull on bras without hooks because she is allergic to the nickel.

My public diary, not my private one. I live in a highrise apartment building in inner Melbourne. My interests are varied but top of the list are old buildings, history and public transport. You will find plenty of personal experiences to read in my blog too. Just be aware I am not an historian, amateur or otherwise. While I make some effort to be accurate, I don't do proper methodical research so I advise you check all details on your own behalf should you wish to quote me. Your comments are very welcome, but try to be nice to my fragile yet overblown ego. I enjoy receiving email. You can find my eddress in my complete profile.